FACULTY LOUNGE citron celebrates creative, experienced kindergarten teachers

Kindergarten is a special time in a child's life and Citron has some super special kindergarten teachers.

Dr. Janet Molina has 30 years of teaching experience with the last 20 years spent as a kindergarten teacher at the Citron campus. Janet has two children (both college graduates) who attended the Citron campus. She loves seeing the excitement in a student who first learns to read or one who begins to "think mathematically." Janet enjoys spending time with her family and attending USC games.

Citron has had the pleasure of having Ms. Karen Young at Fairmont for 29 years, all of which have been with kindergarten students. Karen was born and raised in San Diego, which is why her favorite teams are the Padres and the Chargers.  When you visit Room 2, you might notice items such as Annie, Woody, the Running Man, a miniature podium, and even a real stop light. All of which were made by Ms. Young’s dad. You will also notice a picture of Frank Sinatra, one of Karen Young’s favorite singers. If you are a student in her class you will learn to sing some of his classics. Karen’s hobbies include golfing and fishing.

In 1967, Mrs. Patsy Bauman attended Fairmont Private School for her kindergarten year. Thirty years later, she returned to Fairmont as an educator and has been at the Citron campus for 13 years. In addition to her love for children, both biological and those of the kindergarten variety, she enjoys her friends, home, garden, animals, nature, and baking. Mrs. Bauman is very artistic and it shows in her classroom and in the variety of fun activities she plans for her students.

We are so fortunate here at the Citron campus to have such experienced, passionate kindergarten teachers.  They have a lifelong love of learning and are happy to share it with anyone who visits their classrooms.

Contributed by Elly, Citron campus

FACULTY LOUNGE edgewood's kari white fulfills life-long dream

Fifth grade teacher, Kari White, joined the Edgewood team four years ago teaching  elementary science lab, various junior high math classes and seventh grade life science. Mrs. White taught a variety of subjects and grade levels in public schools before finding a home at Edgewood, where she feels fortunate to be in a job surrounded by curious students and supportive parents. 

“Teaching has always been my dream,” she said, “and nothing makes me happier than seeing students excited about learning.”

Mrs. White has always loved learning. She started in high school, volunteering as an aid in an elementary school. Although she wasn’t sure if she wanted to be a teacher, scientist, author or Nancy Drew, she continued to study in college, earning degrees in English, Liberal Studies and Science.  She also earned a multiple subject credential, a single subject credential to teach English, special certification to teach gifted students, and she is currently enrolled (though taking a break this semester) in a joint masters and administrative credential program. She continues to write for fun, and also writes test questions for the CTP4 tests. 

Whenever she has time, she helps her husband, who is a science consultant, with their business. One of her favorite activities was running a digital academy with her husband to teach inner-city students how to film and edit video.  She enjoys traveling with her husband and daughter and volunteering with the forestry service. Currently, she is busy collaborating with her seven siblings to plan her parents’ 50th wedding anniversary.

Contributed by Jonna, Edgewood campus

FACULTY LOUNGE anaheim hills' heather lopez working toward BTSA cert

Heather Lopez graduated from Chapman University in May 2006. She acquired her CLAD multiple subject teaching credential in 2007, the same year she started teaching at Fairmont's Anaheim Hills campus. Currently, Heather is working on completing her BTSA certification and will have completed this two year program in only one year. She was one of only three candidates chosen in the State of California to complete the program in only one year.

Heather's passion for teaching children at a critical point in their development fuels her to teach early childhood education at Fairmont. Heather notes, "Watching students who could not read at the beginning of the year, read entire books at the end of the year, is incredibly gratifying." She prides herself in being a valuable member of Fairmont and an asset in the lives of each of her students.

During her free time she likes to spend time with her husband, Jorge, and the couple's three dogs (Tucker, Daisy and Winnie.)  She enjoys reading, shopping and going to Dodger games! Heather hopes to earn her reading instruction certificate from Chapman University in the near future.

Contributed by Vicky, Anaheim Hills campus

FACULTY LOUNGE mable shines spotlight on arts faculty

Pictured are Mable's arts teachers: Mr. Graham Taylor, Miss Karen O’Hanlon, Mrs. Robin Gormin and Mrs. Adela Stella (not pictured Mrs. Marilyn Taylor and Mrs. Bella Freedman).

They're smart, they're talented and they're super artsy, but did you know...

Mr. Graham Taylor (Brass Teacher): Has hiked the John Muir Trail which is 211 miles long.

Miss Karen O’ Hanlon (Drama Teacher): Played Tina in the off-Broadway improvisation show “Tony and Tina’s Wedding.”

Mrs. Robin Gormin (Art Teacher): Has played tennis in the Pacific Sun tennis league for the past 16 years.

Mrs. Adela Stella (Music): Is a fanatic Angels fan and is anxiously waiting for next season. She and her husband enjoy taking their granddaughters to games.  They're creating a new generation of Angels fans.  GO HALOS!

Mrs. Marilyn Taylor (Woodwinds Teacher):  Was a baton twirler in her high school marching band and performed during the halftime shows for Homecoming football games.

Mrs. Bella Freedman (Strings Teacher): Has a musical miniature poodle named Nikki. Nikki plays  “trumpet” duets with Mrs. Freedman’s at-home violin students.

Contributed by Karen, Mable campus

TEACHER'S PET walter and maude the bearded dragons

Mr. Joseph Edmisten and his wife, Tracy have been proud owner’s of bearded dragons, Maude and Walter, for about a year and a half. Mr. Edmisten enjoys the reptiles because they are very docile. Recently, Maude laid a total of 65 eggs in three clutches. Clutches are a batch of eggs laid 3 weeks apart.  After Maude laid the eggs, they incubated for 60 to 75 days. After incubation, the baby bearded dragons hatched  and within four weeks they are ready to go to their new families. Bearded dragons originate from the Australian desert. In order to survive in captivity, they need a desert-like climate. Therefore, Mr. Edmisten must keep his environment between 80 and 110 degrees. Due to their hardy nature, bearded dragons have become one of the most popular reptiles in American homes.

Contributed by Mr. Edmisten, Mable Campus

TEACHER'S PET puff the hissing cockroach

Greetings from Room 4!  My name is Puff and I live in a giant tank in Mrs. Bauman’s kindergarten classroom.  I have been in school for about 6 years now as have my many brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and nieces, nephews and cousins.  We live between Cisco the ball python and Tootsie the millipede in a lovely sunny spot near the back of the class.  I think we are the most fortunate class pets on the planet.  We get to see and hear many exciting and new things every day.  Sometimes Mrs. Bauman lets the children hold us.  We like to put on a show for the kids by puffing up and hissing for them.  The best part of our day is when the class brings us their lunch leftovers.  Our favorite lunch item is lettuce.  If it is  really quiet in the class, you can hear us munching.  Stop in for a visit one day, we love to make new friends!

Contributed by Mrs. Bauman, Citron Campus

SCHOOL NEWS book signing with sam calavitta

Please join us this Saturday, November 13 at Borders in Yorba Linda from 1pm-4pm for a book signing with our very own Sam Calavitta, one of America's top high school math teachers! Also, when shopping at Borders, please bring in this barcode and 10% of your purchase will be donated to the Fairmont Parent Association. We hope to see you there! 

Contributed by Alyssa, Marketing